Carlos created a tool called "Netwok Explorer". It is still in beta I guess (or even alpha), but here you can read a few words about it.

 

What is it?:

  • A tool (GUI) that allows you to view the configuration of your AD. The following can be viewed with this tool:
    • Forest and domain structure including DNS names of the forest and domains
    • Number of domains in the forests
    • The number of sites in the forest
    • The GCs in the forest
    • The DCs in the forest hosting the forest wide FSMOs
    • For each domain:
      • The domain controllers in the domain including replication information like:
      • The sites where each domain is located
      • All the GCs in the domain
      • The DCs in the domin hosting the domain wide FSMOs
    • For each domain controller in a domain:
      • Its DNS name
      • The OS of the DC
      • The IP address of the DC
      • The site the DC is in
      • If it hosts the GC role or not
      • The partitions (NCs) hosted by the DC
      • Its replication metadata like:
        • Inbound and outbound connections
        • Replication from/to
        • Transport type of the CO
        • If it is a auto/manual CO
        • Replication errors
        • Replication partners and the partitions replicated from those partners including other metadata
        • Metadata for a specified object as it is stored on that particular replica (like REPADMIN /SHOWOBJMETA)
  • The following would be welcome as new features/adjustments:
    • Ability to refresh the view of the configuration if changes have been made in AD. Now you will need to restart the tool
    • Ability to export the information, maybe into XML format
    • It crops the different panes in a strange way that some information may not be visible at all
    • Adding the additional TCP/IP settings like DNS, WINS, etc. to "The IP address of the DC"
    • Removal of the three TABS when a DC is selected as those TABS don't do anything
    • "Replicate to" column for the inbound connections when replication information is selected should be "Replication from"
    • "Attribute Version" from the object metadata should be "Originating Change Time"
    • "Originating Change Time" from the object metadata should be "Attribute Version"
    • And it still contains bugs which would need to be removed (like: it crashes when a DC is not available)
    • It displays incorrect information for domains other than the forest root domain
    • I'm wondering if it contacts each and every single DC in the forest to query for its DC specific information...
    • It does not show replication errors correctly when compared with REPADMIN /SHOWREPL

 

Some screenshots so you guys can what I'm talking about....

 

Is it free and downloadable?:

  • About the free part... I don't know. But I know for sure it is not downloadable as it is not production stable yet

 

Where can you start begging?:

 

Cheers,

Jorge

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* This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights!
* Always test before implementing!
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